How did I, an Onmyoji, become the Lord of Yokai?

His reaction upon finding out would inevitably be self-blame for not noticing earlier and taking all the blame upon himself.

Rather than letting him wallow in self-blame and suffer for a while, it's better to tell him the truth now.

After a brief silence, Shimizu Mio continued, "Asahina, I think we should tell Ari about this first. At least give Ari enough time to process it."

“…”

The black-haired boy was slightly taken aback by his sister's suggestion, and then looked troubled.

Indeed, he should consider A-Li's feelings when deciding what to do. Rather than waiting for A-Li to turn into a monster, he should tell her the news now.

only.....

Becoming a yokai means severing ties with humans. From now on, the only human territories she can set foot in are ordinary villages, such as famous cities like Heian-kyo and Nagaoka Castle. There will be no place for her to stay.

Can she, who has traveled to every corner of the world, withstand such a blow?

Qingshui Chaoyang gently gritted his teeth.

......

Meanwhile, inside the underground altar of the Minamoto clan in Heian-kyo, Hachimata and the dwarf sat facing each other.

"Hachimata, you've really gotten me into serious trouble this time."

Looking at his only close friend, the big man couldn't help but grimace. He lifted his clothes, exposing his numerous bruises to the air, and said with great resentment, "Look what my sister did to me!"

With a gentle flicker of his purple eyes, Hachimata glanced at the black burn marks, then gave a cold smile.

"She went too far; she didn't burn you to death."

“…”

"Hachimata, I did save you this time, and you don't even say thank you, and now you're making me angry."

The burly man put down his clothes and said this with a wronged expression.

"Save me? Ha! I haven't even settled the score with you for ruining my plans, and now you have the nerve to come crying to me?"

As he listened to the words echoing in his ears, a hint of coldness appeared on Hachimata's face.

"If the plan succeeds, Shimizu Asahi will perish in the city of Apricot Plain, and she will also suffer the pain of losing her loved ones."

"Minotaur, you've ruined my carefully planned revenge!"

"Chaoyang is also my brother. I can't just watch you kill my brother, can I?" The big man spread his palms, looking innocent.

"Ha, when you betrayed me, did you ever think that I was your best brother?"

"So, you still won't let my brother go?" The big man looked troubled upon hearing his best friend's words.

"impossible!"

"Even if your daughter likes him, it's impossible?" Chapter 128, Section 131: The cabbage I've raised for a thousand years has been stolen?

A silent atmosphere quietly spread throughout the spacious underground altar.

Hachimata and the burly man locked eyes, their purple pupils and black irises reflecting each other's figures, yet neither uttered a word.

"..."

"..."

As they stared at each other, time slipped by little by little. Perhaps they only had eyes for each other, or perhaps the space blurred time, and neither of them knew how much time had passed.

But at one moment, the pervasive silence was gently broken.

Yamata's voice rang out calmly.

"You just said that my daughter... likes him?"

The eerie man's previously cold expression had somehow turned calm, and his purple eyes were like a stagnant pool, completely still.

"Hehe, didn't expect that? Your child who doesn't care about anything will actually fall in love with someone."

The big man chuckled happily.

"Actually, I didn't expect it either... At first, I thought the child just thought it was fun and wanted to tease my younger brother, so I didn't pay too much attention. I just didn't expect that she was serious."

At this point, the big man paused for a moment, then continued with a hint of pride, "You don't know, but that little guy Ibuki went to the Demon Realm for Asahi and slaughtered the Asura Demon King."

"..."

Hearing the words reaching his ears, Yamata's fingers, which had been resting there, quietly lifted up as if stimulated by something.

The Asura Demon King... was he killed by Ibuki?

This... a pawn he spent sixteen years cultivating was actually killed by his own daughter?

And it's all for the sake of his enemy's younger brother!?

A ripple appeared in his eyes, which were as calm as still water.

Although he didn't care about the Asura Demon King, and saving it was just a spur-of-the-moment decision, he didn't care even if Ibuki killed it.

But why specifically for clear water and rising sun!

That's your father's enemy's brother!

I,!

Yamata opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but the sudden news rendered him speechless. Therefore, he could only open his mouth and try to calm his turbulent emotions.

He did not doubt the big man's words.

In fact, he had already guessed this two weeks ago.

The Asura Demon King obtained his unclean power, and as long as his power cannot be erased, it can be resurrected indefinitely.

In this era, only a few people, including Ox-Head, Shimizu Mio, and a handful of others, could erase this power with brute force alone. Even Shuten-dōji, the Demon King of Mount Ōe, could only suppress it, not erase it.

However, during that incident, Yamata clearly sensed that the Asura Demon King had already died completely before the statue collapsed.

—Someone has erased his power.

The only one who could erase this power without brute force was his daughter—Ibuki-dōji, one of the Four Demon Kings of Mount Ōe!

Therefore, he then guessed that it was his daughter who killed the Asura Demon King.

He simply assumed that the Asura Demon King had upset his daughter, which was why she had killed him. Little did he know... it was all for Shimizu Asahi!

She, she...!

Her emotions, which had just calmed down, were once again thrown into turmoil, and Hachimata's breathing became slightly rapid.

"No! This isn't real! This absolutely isn't real! Minotaur! You must be lying to me!"

Clenching his fists, Yamata began to deceive himself.

"That child simply dislikes that good-for-nothing, that's why she attacked! She would never like Shimizu Asahi! Never!"

That's right, absolutely not. That's his daughter, the Demon King who inherited his bloodline and power and is above all living beings. How could she possibly like a mere Onmyoji!

"...Even if you say that, the little guy still likes the sunrise."

Seeing his excited best friend, the big man comforted him, saying, "Look, Ibuki likes handsome guys, and our Asahi is so handsome, it's normal for her to like Asahi."

"This is not normal at all!"

Hachimata gritted his teeth and vehemently denied his words.

"Even if you like handsome guys, you should find a man like me! Shimizu Asahi and she are completely incompatible!"

"Your tastes don't represent your child's tastes. Besides, look at me, I'm nothing like you, but we still became best friends in the end, didn't we?"

Suddenly, the burly man appeared beside Hachimata. He put his arm around Hachimata's shoulder and comforted him, "Hachimata, the two children truly love each other. You can't be the bad guy."

"Besides, if they really succeed, I can plead with my sister to release you."

"This is a happy ending for everyone."

"True love?"

The man suddenly gave a cold laugh.

His gaze was slightly tilted, his pupils were cold, and his words were as cold as frost.

"You mean that guy who wasn't satisfied with having my daughter, and who was also having affairs with other women?"

"..."

The burly man was speechless at his best friend's cold words. True love was just something he said, but Hachimata... took it seriously?

Is this what it means to be a parent? To make even the most cunning and calculating friend become so naive.

He was thinking this in his heart, but the big man didn't say it out loud. He smiled and explained to his best friend with a different expression.

The Great Han wanted to bring about this outcome.

Whether this ending is bad for others or not, it is the best outcome for him.

Therefore, he will try his best to bring about this outcome.

'Looks like I'll have to figure out a way to get that little Ibuki down from Mount Ōe...'

......

Meanwhile, in an inn within Xingyuan City.

Shimizu Asahi and Shimizu Mio arrived at Ari's room.

"Mr. Chaoyang, and Mio, what brings you here?"

Seeing the approaching boy and girl, Ali, who had just had her bandages changed, revealed a smile mixed with confusion.

"...Ah Li, there's something I want to tell you first."

The black-haired boy gritted his teeth and pondered for a long time in the courtyard. He finally decided to tell Ali about it... Although he was unwilling, he still wanted to prepare Ali mentally. Sudden shocks are the most unbearable.

"Mr. Chaoyang... is so serious."

A-Li felt nervous at his serious expression, so she straightened up and responded with the same seriousness.

"What is Mr. Chaoyang trying to say?"